Thursday, May 29, 2008

Call for ICJ arbitration dismissed - The Star

Sabah has dismissed Moro leader Nur Misuari's call for the Philippines to take its claim on Sabah to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a non-issue.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman made the statement in reaction to the call. He declined further comment.

State leaders have repeatedly stated in the past that Sabah was an integral part of the Federation of Malaysia.

Nur Misuari, a former rebel leader and governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, was recently released on bail for charges of rebellion, and has returned to lead the Moro National Liberation Front.

In Davao in the Philippines on Sunday, he challenged Malaysia to show proof that Sabah belonged to the federation.

Nur Misuari was arrested in Sandakan on Nov 24, 2001 for alleged illegal entry when he was fleeing from Philippines forces and was later handed over to Manila in January 2002.

On the protracted migrant problem in Sabah, Musa said the authorities were finding it difficult to deport Filipinos because of the lack of cooperation of their embassy.